Lightweight solid safety swimming pool covers

Abstract

A solid mesh swimming pool cover incorporates a mesh layer that has been successfully used as a porous mesh cover for several years with a thin impermeable base layer. A two-step polymer coating process seals the mesh to produce a solid safety swimming pool cover of unusual light weight and durability with an abrasion resistant bottom layer that has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate easy removal. The base layer is a plastic or resin product, such as a co-polymer resin, and the top layer is a mesh pool cover fabric, such as polypropylene. Ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors added to both coating step materials insure an extended service life. Since the mesh used for the centrally located mesh panels in the drain type solid cover of this invention uses the same mesh as the rest of the non-porous cover, it is more aesthetically pleasing since it blends in with the rest of the cover.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a combination thin, solid and mesh, pool cover.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSwimming pool covers for off-season use are available in two distinct varieties. One is a mesh construction, which lets rain and melting snow drain right through while providing safety and preventing large debris from entering the pool. The other type of pool cover is a solid vinyl safety cover, which is impervious to water. The solid vinyl covers are typically significantly heavier and therefore more difficult to roll or fold for removal. They also tend to drag on the pool decking and to catch on any irregularities.The solid vinyl pool covers do have some advantages; they prevent most of the sunlight from penetrating thereby preventing the growth of some types of algae in the water below. They can also prevent the draining of contaminated water with fine debris and bacteria into the pool.Actually, two types of solid vinyl pool covers are in common use. Th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel swimming pool cover, which is both lightweight and impermeable, such as with a mesh-reinforced upper layer and a thin, solid lower layer.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool cover which has the benefits of mobility to be moved easily, being lightweight and with strong durability.

In keeping with these objects and others, which may become apparent, the pool cover of this invention has proven strength because it incorporates a mesh layer that has been successfully used as a porous mesh cover for several years. In addition, a two-step polymer coating process seals the mesh to produce a solid safety swimming pool cover of unusual light weight and durability with an abrasion resistant bottom layer that has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate easy removal.

UV inhibitors added to both coating step materials insure an extended service life. Since the mesh used for the centrally located mesh panels in the drain type solid cover of this invention uses the same mesh as the rest of the non-porous cover, it is more aesthetically pleasing since it blends in with the rest of the cover.

Aesthetically, the fibers of the reinforcing webs in the warp and weft directions of the swimming pool cover are optionally in contrasting colors, to preferably form a distinctive pattern to improve the aesthetic appearance of the cover.

Although other thicknesses may apply, preferably the thickness of the swimming pool cover is between 14 and 15 mils, with a preferable weight of 8.5-9.0 ounces per square yard. The pool cover of the present invention is used instead of a typical solid vinyl pool cover material, weighing typically about at about 12-13 ounces or more per square yard. The thickness and weight of the pool cover of the present invention enable the pool cover to be both lightweight and durable.

Problems solved by technology

The solid vinyl covers are typically significantly heavier and therefore more difficult to roll or fold for removal.

They also tend to drag on the pool decking and to catch on any irregularities.

The type with centrally located drain panels, while not precluding contaminated water from entering the pool, still block UV rays from sunlight.

For example, open mesh pool covers are lightweight, but since they have an open mesh, they allow rain and small organic particles to traverse the cover, thereby introducing excess rainwater or undesirable organic matter into the pool, requiring cleaning.

On the other hand, solid pool covers are heavy to handle and remove.

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